Vince is now off work til after Christmas. We have 9 days of sleeping late . . or til Rita wakes us up which I’m sure will happen before 6 a.m. We can have leisurely breakfasts without being rushed. We can take naps. We can practice for retirement . . but my main goal is not to leave the house. We’ll see how that goes. Vince will surely leave or one reason or another but if I can manage to stay home, I’ll be so happy! He has to help with Toys for Tots and ring the Salvation Army bell and I’m sure there will be after Christmas sales . . for him but not for me.
As far as cooking, I have everything we need and a few special items.
Cherry Cheesecake – my mom used to make this all the time and I had totally forgotten about it til Nicole and I saw a recipe for it and I haven’t stopped thinking about it so we’re going to have that.
Springerle
Springerles – I’m still on the fence about making these. I’m trying to lose weight . . I know . . after the holidays would be better, but if I make those things, I’ll eat too many of them, but if I don’t make them, I’ll wish I had.
I would love to have the pin or molds to make these. Aren’t they gorgeous? I found this set but I don’t think I’ll be ordering them any time soon . . I won’t stop thinking about them though!
As far as Christmas dinner, we’re going to have an easy meal – prime rib, scalloped potatoes, salad and maybe one more veggie. I’m not spending all day in the kitchen.
I forgot to look at the sale ads to see if anyone has cabbage on sale. I took sauerkraut to Nicole and she loved it so now I need to make more. They’re planning to come here soon so I need to have a batch going when she’s here . . she would probably like to see that.
My shopping is done and all but a few packages have been delivered. So . . for the next week, we’ll be sitting back, relaxing and enjoying some warm, sunny Texas winter weather!
Kristin says
That sounds lovely! I have to work Christmas Eve and Day (healthcare), but I have 4 Days in a row off after that. Enjoy your holiday ‘break’! 🙂
Teresa says
Pressure Cooking Today has a few cheesecake recipes to make it in the Instant Pot. I have made quite a few. They are really good and so easy.
Joan B. says
You could just 1/2 your cookie recipes for fewer calories!
Tina in NJ says
Judy, check out springerle joy.com. Top-notch cookie molds. I got a large order from Rycraft cookie stamps this year because the owner is no longer making the stamps himself, although they are still selling the ones made in China.
Marilyn S says
We had our annual Orphan’s Christmas Eve dinner last night. Prime Rib, sautéed mushrooms, mashed potatoes, Horseradish cream, au jus, salad and creme brûlée. The PR was cooked to perfection. I do it the “do not open the oven door” method and it has never failed me.
We call it the Orphan’s Dinner as none of us have our kids or other family nearby anymore. We started this when the kids were little and would go to church after dinner. This couple has moved to WA but bought a small condo here in the desert to come to in the winter. It has been so much fun to start up our old tradition again. They fly out this week to Portland to be with their daughter and family for Christmas.
Judy says
I have to comment on the Springerle cookies, a Christmas tradition in our family. My mother had a Springerle mold, a board brought back from a trip to Germany by her grandfather who had emigrated to America as a young man. Mom is 95 now and has passed the making of Springerle on to my sister and my daughter who is now the keeper of the Springerle mold. Believe me, it is a family treasure!
Joyce says
My Grandma made Springerle every year when I was growing up. When she got to the point she couldn’t do them any more, I took over (and she gave me her Springerle rolling pin). I still make them, although I’m running out of family to help me eat them. I knew I had arrived, when my Grandmother told me she thought my cookies were better than hers! The designs on your Springerle show up better than mine do. I need to work on that.
danielle nabozny says
You need to pop some of thsoe springerle’s in tins and mail them off…..that way you wont eat too many….I’ll send you my address!